Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Highway of Death -- All for Clean Laundry!

Well...Mark survived crossing the highway of death and walking the several blocks to reclaim our clean laundry.

The smells along the way were indescribable, except to say that pleasant isn't among the words you would use.

There was one woman along the way scrubbing a piece of meat in a pot. It looked a little like corned beef but smelled like something completely different. She was scrubbing it with a piece of steel wool.

There were groups of men all along the way playing cards and a game that looked like checkers. One woman was scrubbing her clothes in a big metal pot and hanging them above her on a clothes line using a long pole.

On the way back he stopped in a corner grocery and re-supplied us with more Chips Ahoy and Oreos.

The heat and humidity are oppressive. It's like a bad July day in Baltimore.

Today for lunch we ate in one of the restaurants at the hotel. We were joined by Billy, Nikki and their new daughter Kassidy. We had a private room and a great meal. Beth had BBQ ribs and said they were delicious. There was plenty of food and the tab for all of us was only $60.

Merrilee is really only going to Beth when Mark is not around. So right now Mark is at the bar having a "Snow" beer while Beth is in the room trying to get Merrilee down for a nap. Tonight many in our group are ordering out for pizza from Pizza Hut. Pizza Hit here doesn't deliver (but McDonald's does) so we are paying a cab to pick up our pizzas for us.

Merrilee saw the pediatrician again today. She has a bit of congestion and we are giving her Benydryl three times a day. The doc also saw her on Monday and says she is improving.

She is a delightful but very stubborn child. She puts her fingers in her nose to get a rise out of us. She knows when she is doing it that she is being bad. She has learned how to kiss her stuffed animal and play patty cake. She laughs a lot with a wide grin but she likes to push us to see what her limit is to be. She is drinking bottled water from the bottle and she loves lo mein noodles. She likes to feed herself. Cheerios are already a favorite snack.

Mark had to change TWO poopy diapers today. Our baby knows how to light up a room. It was like she unleashed some weapons of mass destruction designed to gag daddy to death. The two poops were just moments apart so the first cloud hadn't even had the chance to dissipate.

Will try to write more tomorrow as the adventure continues.

Please keep Beth in your thoughts. It is very hard on her that the baby is gravitating toward Mark. Again though, with most Chinese babies, they usually go to just one adoptive parent. Almost every couple in our group is having the same issue. Still it's hard to believe we've only had her two days. It already seems like longer...much longer.


4 comments:

Sharon Jones said...

Good Morning Merrilee!

Hope you had a good night's sleep. I LOVE the picture of you shopping with your Mommy. I made it the wallpaper on my computer so I can see you all the time. I love to look at your Mommy's smile and her eyes sparkle when she's with you...I can tell that she really loves you.

I am watching your baby doll and practicing my chinese. I'm not too good at it yet, but I can say I LOVE YOU... wŏ ài nĭ ...and I do love YOU!

I have told so many people about you that the whole world will know that you are such a special gift. My favorite part is about you holding the bunny your Mommy and Daddy sent to your foster home. That makes me cry...you're right...I cry a lot, but VERY HAPPY TEARS.

Hugs and kisses coming straight to you, precious girl.

Love,
Auntie Sharon

Kim M. said...

Keep the great post coming. Is there chance that daughter of yours is even cuter?

I can't wait to tell the kids they are so "Phelps"!

Hugs from Catonsville.

Barry and Pat said...

Hi Beth, Mark and Merrilee! We love seeing all the photos of your adventures! We are thinking of you and praying for you. The boys can't wait to meet their new cousin!

Love to all,

Barry and Pat

Unknown said...

Hi Beth and Mark-

We've just returned from Ocean City and caught up with all your new entries. So thrilling for all of you. We're sure you will all be bonded quickly! She is so adorable! We'll have to get together when you return home...and we will bring our grandson, Ethan (15 months) to play with Merrilee! Good luck to all of you!

Mark and Donna Wasserman